Jury selection begins this week in a high-stakes civil trial in a federal courtroom in California that will pit tech billionaires Elon Musk and Sam Altman against one another and could influence the future of OpenAI and its flagship product, ChatGPT. The trial is expected to last about four weeks and centers on whether OpenAI’s shift from a nonprofit research lab, founded in 2015, into a heavily funded, for-profit AI company violated its original public-benefit mission.
Musk, a co‑founder of OpenAI, alleges that Altman misrepresented the organization’s intentions to win his support and resources, then allowed commercialization for private gain-actions Musk says breached the group’s founding purpose. He is seeking sweeping remedies, including a permanent injunction to restore OpenAI’s original structure and the removal of Altman and co‑founder Greg Brockman.
Altman’s legal team rejects those claims, arguing Musk is distorting history. The defense says Musk left OpenAI in 2018 after disagreements and failed to deliver a pledged $1 billion in funding. They also plan to present evidence that Musk at one point backed a for‑profit transition-so long as it aligned with Tesla’s interests.
The trial is expected to feature testimony from several high‑profile figures, including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and current or former OpenAI board members. Presiding Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has characterized the case as “billionaires versus billionaires,” underscoring its unusual public drama.
What began as corporate disagreement has also turned personal, with public insults and online barbs exchanged between the two. Musk has publicly used derogatory names toward Altman, while Altman has mocked Musk over other disputes.
Musk initially sought $134 billion in damages but later suggested any recovered funds should be directed to OpenAI’s nonprofit arm. OpenAI has dismissed the lawsuit as a last‑minute legal maneuver. (ANI)
Original Source: https://www.sentinelassam.com/more-news/international/elon-musk-sues-sam-altman-as-trial-over-openais-for-profit-shift-begins-in-california
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Publish Date: 2026-04-28 12:31:00
